W211 E320cdi Bi-Xenon bulb fitting advice

[Wighty]

I’ve decided to try upgraded D1S bulbs in the car to try and eek some more light out of the headlights .
Just been out to have a look at the cars access for bulb fitting .
Apart from safety advice of either disconnect the battery or pull the lighting fuse wearing eye protection and gloves they appear to be normal bulb fitting .
The access looks to be the issue. Passenger side looks fine with removal of the coolant overflow tank , drivers side looks too tight for human arms .
Does anyone know is It headlight housing out to do it , or maybe fitting from below the car ? Front slam panel removal
There are no clues in the manual other than get Main dealer to do it .
Haynes just talks as though there are no access problems at all .
Anyone done it themselves ?
Thanks

 

[Gazwould]

Wighty what have you done to yourself ?

 

[Blobcat]

Never had to change them in the W211, in my R171 taking out the front section of the wheel arch liner gives clear access.

 

[bembo449]

I dont remember the bulbs being difficult pal , you may need to move whatever is behind the headlamp out of the way for better access , the ballast are a pig but again that can be done without removing headlamp unit

 

[Wighty]

Just had a look at the car again . No wheel arch access or possibility from below either .
I can get a hand in to the back of the unit so maybe it could be possible (for a 5 year old ) ? There is the bonnet release cable which if loosened might provide a little more space ?
If it’s headlight out , it looks like front bumper off

 

[Wighty]

I dont remember the bulbs being difficult pal , you may need to move whatever is behind the headlamp out of the way for better access , the ballast are a pig but again that can be done without removing headlamp unit

It’s the brake abs unit behind it and some of the pipes are rigid so not sure that’s an option

 

[bembo449]

Maybe i just have the silky skills to get round the problem pal

 

[LostKiwi]

It can't be as difficult as a right front side light in a Smart Roadster.....

Front side lights

The home of modification and maintenance for your smart.

www.fq101.co.uk

 

[Wighty]

It can't be as difficult as a right front side light in a Smart Roadster.....

Front side lights

The home of modification and maintenance for your smart.

www.fq101.co.uk

Maybe , but that doesn’t help me buddy

 

[LostKiwi]

You just need to be patient Wighty. I did my sidelight while Malcolm watched and he was amazed I was able to do it. Didn't use fingers just long nosed pliers.
Just don't let fingers get too cold and take your time and if you have some long nose pliers handy you'll be amazed what you can get into.

 

[Wighty]

You just need to be patient Wighty. I did my sidelight while Malcolm watched and he was amazed I was able to do it. Didn't use fingers just long nosed pliers.
Just don't let fingers get too cold and take your time and if you have some long nose pliers handy you'll be amazed what you can get into.

I will stay positive buddy . A redecorating job in the hall with Karndean flooring and a new rad are absorbing more of my time and creative skills than I would hope though .

 

[mioba]

I would think you need to remove the entire arch liner and not expect to find a panel in the liner.

How some cars are designed now makes it very difficult (overly time consuming) for those who like to fettle on what should be a routine job.

 

[Wighty]

I would think you need to remove the entire arch liner and not expect to find a panel in the liner.

How some cars are designed now makes it very difficult (overly time consuming) for those who like to fettle on what should be a routine job.

There is metal wing in the way from the look of it , the arch is some way below

 

[Wighty]

I’m hoping that someone has done it on my model who can just tell me what to do

 

[mioba]

oh yes and like the comment about the haynes manual.

Haynes either make something sound so easy or its just damn impossible based in the scant info they provide.

 

[mioba]

Mercedes-Benz W211 Headlight Replacement (2003-2009) E320, E500, E55 | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

Need to replace a headlight bulb or your entire headlight assembly? This tech article shows you how. Also see how to replace the other bulbs housed in your headlight assembly.

www.pelicanparts.com

any use, sure you seen it.

some other vids on YT show people removing the little grills below the headlamp in the bumper.

 

[Wighty]

Mercedes-Benz W211 Headlight Replacement (2003-2009) E320, E500, E55 | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

Need to replace a headlight bulb or your entire headlight assembly? This tech article shows you how. Also see how to replace the other bulbs housed in your headlight assembly.

www.pelicanparts.com

any use, sure you seen it.

some other vids on YT show people removing the little grills below the headlamp in the bumper.

Good info cheers , I hadn’t seen that one

 

[Noddy 99]

Mercedes-Benz W211 Headlight Replacement (2003-2009) E320, E500, E55 | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

Need to replace a headlight bulb or your entire headlight assembly? This tech article shows you how. Also see how to replace the other bulbs housed in your headlight assembly.

www.pelicanparts.com

any use, sure you seen it.

some other vids on YT show people removing the little grills below the headlamp in the bumper.

Very helpful; cheers. The job seems quite a palaver, though...

My issue is that the normal beam pattern doesn't project far enough into the distance. Main beam is fantastic - you can light up the whole of Britain and half of Scandinavia - but fast progress is tricky when driving on normal beam at night.

Is any adjustment possible?

 

[V6Matty]

I did it on the 211, easy enough to do in all honesty, just take your time and when putting the new built in, put it in the hole, twist to lock into position and then add the cable on, whatever you do, do not plug the cable in first as it locks the pins and then can’t be locked into position (after a few hours swearing at my light don’t ask me how I know).

 

[Wighty]

I did it on the 211, easy enough to do in all honesty, just take your time and when putting the new built in, put it in the hole, twist to lock into position and then add the cable on, whatever you do, do not plug the cable in first as it locks the pins and then can’t be locked into position (after a few hours swearing at my light don’t ask me how I know).

Cheers buddy , good tip ! For the drivers side did you have to move/disconnect the bonnet release or did you just manage to get an arm in ?